Nurturing the Human Spirit for a World Made Whole |
|
In-Person & Virtual Worship Service
this Sunday, July 31st at 10:15 am
|
|
Exploring Spiritual Journeys
Each of us has a journey of the spirit, what has shaped us and brings us to this moment. In our spiritual community, it deepens our connections and inspires us to live more purposeful lives to hear one another’s journeys. This is a practice we plan to develop at UCE. In this service we will hear from two people who have been raised in our tradition, one as a UU in this congregation, and one as a Universalist who joined UCE many years ago: Lee Bannor and Linda LaPlante.
|
|
|
|
Please join us after the service this Sunday for
Kinship Time in the back of the Sanctuary!
|
|
From Sandra Robinson, Executive Operations Director |
Greetings,
As I write this article, I am thinking about the many newsletters Jessica Meis has created for UCE. Jessica leaves us for a wonderful new
opportunity in her field, and we are delighted for her, and will miss her steadfast, graceful approach to the work she has done for us and with us. We will celebrate her today at staff meeting and send her out in the world with love and support.
A job description was posted on Indeed, in the AUUA (Administrators) listserve and Facebook, as well as a few local churches. Two good candidates have resulted to the search and we are doing final interviews and checking references on this individuals. Jessica will spend two hours with each to do a mini training session and this will help us decide which candidate best fits the position requirements.
|
|
|
New Sunday Schedule beginning in September |
After gathering feedback from the congregation and considering options, the staff, ministers, and lay leaders have responded with some adjustments to the Sunday morning schedule. These changes will begin on Sunday, September 4, 2022. We hope this will be a positive change and relatively easy to acclimate to. Here are the highlights:
-
The Worship Service for all ages will shift to 10:30 am rather than 10:15 am. Nursery care provided.
-
Children and youth faith formation time will be from 11:00 am – 12:00 pm.
-
Adult faith formation time will be before the Worship Service, from 9:30 – 10:30 am. This will be a time for groups such as cancer support, new member classes, pre-service choir rehearsal, and possibly Forum to meet. Nursery care will be provided.
-
A full hour of Kinship Time after the Worship Service will be from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, when we can enjoy each other’s company. We will continue to have all ages potlucks, social justice activities, and treasured traditions like Ornament Sunday each month. Nursery care until 12:00 pm.
As with most things in the pandemic, we are leaning into new ways of being, finding our way forward, and embracing experimentation. We hope you will lean with us with open minds and hearts, and continue to provide us with feedback with love and in covenant. We also hope you will say yes to volunteering in the ways that you can. We will especially ask you to consider saying yes to leading faith formation for children and youth and to join in our shared endeavor of radical hospitality and welcoming. If you have questions, concerns, or want to volunteer, please contact Rev. Eileen, Rev. Susan, or Kathy Underwood, our Director of Lifespan Faith Formation.
|
|
|
Hats Off to Margaret Shaklee! |
|
Our hats are off to Margaret Shaklee for her supreme organizing efforts for the two, almost back-to-back, memorial services we had last week for Jo Jones and Jerry Galich. And thanks to all who brought food, served punch, greeted folks and cleaned up. You helped make a fitting tribute for our dear friends and their families.
We are grateful to Margaret for the many things she does, often behind the scenes, always without expectation of gratitude. She makes nametags for our guests (and has for decades), tends our archives and has helped the newly formed racial history archive team to organize their findings, and she was a wonderful co-lead with Linda Herreid of our youth group this past year.
Thanks, Margaret, for all you do to build and maintain community among us.
|
|
 |
UCE Building Availability -
The UCE Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 10am-5pm
If you have music to share in worship, we would love to add your to our list. We are looking for either live or recorded performances for Sunday mornings to enhance our worship. Reach out to Rev. Eileen or Vickie Hellyer.
|
Transgender Inclusion in Congregations begins Wednesday, October 5. More info below.
Backpack Drive for RefugeeOne ends August 5. More info below.
Register for REAL Team Book Discussion of Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler. See below.
|
|
|
|
This Week's Events & Links |
Saturday, July 30
-
Virtual Pilates at 9:30 am on Zoom. Email Janelle Brittain to join.
-
Tai Chi at 9:45 am and 11 am in Room 3.
-
LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic at 11 am - 3 pm. More info below.
-
Worship Planning Playdate at 10 am - Noon in Room 3 & on Zoom. Click here to join.
Sunday, July 31
-
Chris Isely Cancer Support Group at 8:45 am in Room 6 & via Zoom. Contact Renee Hoff for the Zoom link.
-
All-Ages Worship Service at 10:15 am - Sanctuary & Youtube. Click here to join.
- Kinship Time after the service in the back of the sanctuary
Monday, August 1
Tuesday, August 2
-
Caregiver Support Group at 7 pm on Zoom. Email Renee Hoff & Joyce Lofstrom for more info.
.
Wednesday, August 3
-
Yoga at 9:30 am on 8x8. Click here to join.
- Faith Formation Dance Party at 5:30 pm on the South Lawn.
Thursday, August 4
-
Meditation Group at 5:30 pm via Zoom. Email Lisa Solomon for the link.
|
|
|
|
If you're viewing the newsletter in your email inbox, click on "View entire message" at the bottom of the email to read the full newsletter!
|
|
Congregational Connections |
|
Next Worship Planning Playdate - July 30 |
|
Our next Worship Planning Playdate is coming up July 30th from 10 am - Noon in Room 3. All are welcome if you are interested in helping to shape the upcoming worship services. Let us know if you are interested in joining by registering below.
|
|
|
LGBTQIA+ Community Picnic |
|
Saturday, July 30th - 11am - 3pm
Ridgeville Park
At the corner of South Blvd and Ridge Ave
Evanston
Food will be available for purchase, but you are welcome to bring your own. Bottled water will be available for free. Limited seating is available. You are encouraged to BYO chairs and blankets.
|
|
Save the Date for Lobby Art Show |
|
Friday, September 2nd at 7pm
We hope you will join us for this special presentation by our next lobby artist, Joseph Kayne, and Indigenous scholar, Starla Thompson.
More information to come but please, save the date.
You don't want to miss this.
|
|
What's Happening in Faith Formation? |
|
This Sunday -
All ages are invited to remain in the worship service. Nursery care (ages 0-3) during worship in room 11 from 10:15 - 11:30 am.
And families can explore our June's theme of Celebrating Blessings in their own timeframe in the Soulful Home packet.
And Looking Ahead...
-
Penny Park Picnic – August 7 at Noon! Those at UCE for worship will walk over together at 11:45. It’s an awesome playground with shade trees to sit under. Bring your lunch if you’d like and enjoy meeting other parents while the kids play.
-
Wednesdays on the Lawn returns!
- August 3 – Dance Party - 5:30 for picnicking, 6:30 program. We have a fun lineup! Learn a few dances and try them out during the free dance.
- August 17 – Back-to-School Bonfire – 6:30-8p – please note the later starting time
-
August 31 – Movie on the Lawn - 6:30 for picnicking, 7:15-ish showtime. If you have a suggestion for a movie, email Kathy with your ideas!
Last Concert Meetup!
Join a group of UUs at Evanston-area outdoor free concerts. We are arranging a point person for each of the following concerts, and ways of identifying them, such as a flag or balloon. Meet any time after 6p. Concerts start at 7p. Some events have food vendors. Check out the entire series here. It’s a great way for proximity partners to gather too!
-
August 9 at Mason Park (Near ETHS, Church & Florence) - if you can be a point person for this last concert, email Kathy Underwood.
|
|
The UCE Fiction Book Group is reading The Promise, by Damon Galgut. In this 2021 Booker prize-winner, White complacency meets the Black experience in South Africa. Four generations of one family contend with a promise made to their Black maid by the matriarch on her deathbed, reflecting the changing atmosphere of South African racial accord, from the mid-80’s to the present.
Join us for the book discussion on Friday, August 19 at 7pm by ZOOM.
|
|
|
The nonfiction book group will not meet in July.
We invite people to read nonfiction books over the summer and attend our Zoom meeting at 2 pm on Sunday, August 28 when participants will recommend and decide on books our group will read and discuss in the coming months.
|
|
Transgender Inclusion in Congregations |
|
Transgender Inclusion in Congregations is a 6-part series created by the Transforming Hearts Collective, featuring instructors Rev. Mykal Slack & Zr. Alex Kapitan and presented by Rev. Eileen, Christine Peters, and Carla Williams. This course is for anyone (ages 12 and up) who wants to contribute to building Beloved Community and help UCE become fully inclusive and actively affirming.
Over six sessions we will deeply explore the intersection of trans identity, spirituality and faith community in order to gain grounding, context and skills to transform ourselves and our congregation. The course meets people where they are and will move us toward welcoming, relationship-building, and skills-building. Each session will include a webinar video, individual and group reflection, and discussion on topics ranging from what does Beloved Community really mean; the ways trans folks have been and remain marginalized; and ways our congregation can more fully celebrate and nurture the spirits of all people.
Wednesdays October 5th – November 9th from 7-8:30 pm on Zoom. For your benefit and the benefit of all participants, the expectation is that you attend all sessions. However, we understand that schedules can be challenging and unexpected conflicts occur. Please register for this event so we can plan and send you required materials.
|
|
Save the Date: Faith in Place 2022 Green Team Summit |
|
Whether or not you are on the UCE Green Team, if you have an interest in advancing the conversation about climate change, you are invited to join in the 2022 Green Team Summit!
Rev. Susan is one of the interfaith presenters for the September 12th session titled Interwoven: Exploring Environmental Justice with Faith Leaders. Dr. Katharine Hayhoe is the keynote speaker to open the summit on September 11th.
Date: September 11-14, 2022
Location: Multiplatform (Zoom and In-person watch parties
No admission fee
|
|
IST Collecting Backpacks for Refugee One |
|
Looking for an easy opportunity for local action? The Immigrant Solidarity Team is again collecting full backpacks for local refugee school children. Drop off a backpack with all supplies listed, no partial donations this year, at UCE until August 5th. We will deliver them to Refugee One on August 6th. See list and details at link below.
Last year we collected about 20 backpacks and we’d love to get that many and more! There are over 400 kids in need!
Please contact Michelle Novak through Realm or at admin@ucevanston.org.
|
|
Stop Privatization of Medicare Action of Immediate Witness
|
|
One of the Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW) passed at the 2022 Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly was Stop the Privatization of Medicare. This AIW opposes the implementation of the ACO-REACH program and privatized Medicare Advantage plans and calls on:
- The UUA to contact program officials and implore them not to allow the implementation of ACO-REACC and the continuation of privatized Medicare Advantage plans, and urging them to support a Medicare for All Program such as those introduced by Senator Sanders and Representative Jayapal;
- UU congregations and UU-related organizations and their members to contact program officials, as well as to write their legislators to do what they can to see that ACO-REACH and privatized Medicare Advantage plans cease.
- UU Congregations and UU-related organizations and their members to join National Nurses United, Healthcare-NOW!, and Physicians for a National Health Program in fighting for a truly universal healthcare coverage for all.
Why these actions?
|
|
Book Discussion: Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler
|
|
Book Discussion: Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler
|
|
The Real Team is sponsoring a book discussion of Kindred, written by Octavia E. Butler. The book discussion will be held via ZOOM and facilitated by UCE member Jean Butzen. Participants will meet twice and prior to the first session will have access to online materials available through a Google docs folder which contains background information for the book, author, and the topic of slavery. Here are the meeting dates for the book group:
-
Monday, September 19th: 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Zoom, Session #1: Introductions to the participants, the author, the book, and to several Google doc materials being made available to participants for the book and the topic. Then we will break for a few weeks for participants to read the book, however, feel free to start reading the book right away. Some people need to read Ms. Butler’s books a little more slowly, to absorb the material.
-
Monday, October 17th: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Session #2: Inter-active discussion of the book Kindred, facilitated by Jean Butzen.
|
|
It's Time for Springfield to Step Up! |
|
In the wake of the horrific mass shooting in Highland Park, many of us are asking the same question: WHAT CAN WE DO?
The UCE Legislative Advocacy Team urges all of us to demand that Illinois have a special legislative session dedicated to gun violence prevention in Illinois. Specifically, we believe the legislature should immediately consider:
- a ban on assault-type weapons
- a ban on large capacity magazines
- mandatory fingerprinting to get a FOID card
While Congress recently enacted some meaningful but modest gun violence prevention legislation, our influence as citizens is strongest at the state level, so that is where we should focus our efforts in this time of crisis.
Please call and email the leaders listed below, as well as your own state representative and senator, and demand a special legislative session to address the plague of gun violence in Illinois.
-
Governor Pritzker - Click here to send an email or call (312) 814-2121 or (312) 814-2122
-
Senate President Don Harmon - Click here to send an email or call (708) 848-2002
-
Speaker Chris Welch: Click here to send an email or call (708) 450-1000
-
Find your senator and representatives here.
|
|
This July - Help UCE with Plastic Free EcoChallenge |
|
Each action you take during July earns our team points. You can do as much or as little as you are comfortable with. Young people can join on their own and update their dashboard, just like older adults. This competition is a game that educates and challenges us. Our Green Team will check our team's progress during the month of July to see how we are performing in comparison to other faith communities in and around the Northshore.
This EcoChallenge is sponsored by the Coalition of North American Aquariums and Zoos. Have fun and clean up our oceans!
|
|
Sack Lunches at Connections for the Homeless
Pick up Sites Still Needed
|
|
Connections for the Homeless has an urgent need for sack lunches to be provided at its three pick-up locations. Food insecurity is ever present in our community and making lunches is one way we can help!
Please note the different delivery instructions for different locations. If you have any questions about how to sign up on the Connections calendar, please contact Sheila Holder through REALM or at admin@ucevanston.org. Sheila also has packets of mayo and mustard to include in your prepared lunches.
|
|
UUtheVote 2022: We're Doing It! |
|
Our UU the Vote goal is to have 40,000 contacts before election day. We're up to 8,000 right now, 20% of the total. Contacts include postcards sent, phone calls, and personal contacts.
We are still sending postcards to Florida for their primary election but we only have about another week to do that, so please visit the UU the vote table at church Sunday and pick up a pack of 40 cards. Soon we will be receiving cards for Virginia.
Also, two or our members have made trips to Milwaukee to do voter registration at DMV offices. Voter registration is blacked out in Wisconsin now because it's within 30 days of their primary. After the primary registration will be open again and we would be delighted for help. Please let Lee Bannor, Shirley Adams, or Carolyn Laughlin know if you're interested.
|
|
Act Now to Support Reproductive Rights in Kansas |
|
Kansas will have the first vote in the nation to determine reproductive rights since the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs. On August 2, 2022, the primary voters in Kansas will be asked to vote on an abortion access referendum. Kansans For Constitutional Freedom is leading the effort, supported by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Trust Women, and other groups, to inform voters about the urgency to vote in the Kansas primary. You can help!
-
July 27-August 2, 5:30-8:30 pm, Phonebank to alert Kansas voters that there is a referendum that would eliminate the state’s guarantee of the right to abortion on the August 2nd primary ballot. Phonebanking will go on every evening from 5:30 – 8:30 CT (Kansas is on Central Time too). Each phonebanking session begins with a 30-minute training on Zoom. The Zoom conference provides support during the phonebanking and finishes with a wrap-up discussion. You will need both a computer for the Zoom conference and a phone for the phonebanking.
-
Register here with the Kansans For Constitutional Freedom: https://secure.everyaction.com/p/pxhMyyaMZ0eyrMhpLruvXw2.
-
Register here through the ACLU People Power website: https://go.peoplepower.org/go/call-kansas.
Here are other ways to live into our UU values and support Reproductive Justice:
|
|
Sign Petition to Support Local Housing Program |
|
Please consider signing a petition to support the purchase of the Margarita Inn by Connections for the Homeless in order to operate their Bridge Housing program. Throughout the pandemic, Connections heroically stepped up to provide shelter for more than 300 people experiencing homelessness. Since 2020, 184 homeless individuals have been served at the Margarita Inn, including men, women, and children. Currently, 86% are Evanston residents. We believe all our neighbors deserve a safe, stable place to call home. The services provided by Connections for the Homeless at the Margarita Inn create the path to stable housing and a brighter future.
|
|
UCE 2022 Vision Keeper is Toni Rey |
|
Join us in celebrating Toni Rey as our 2022 Vision Keeper at the Interfaith Action of Evanston (IAE) Vision Keepers Dinner, when Evanston faith communities honor those who exemplify the IAE vision of interfaith social action and dialogue.
Date: Sunday, September 18, 5:30 pm
Location: DoubleTree 9599 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
Tickets: $75.00 per person. Please make checks payable to Interfaith Action of Evanston. Ticket price includes a donation to support IAE's direct services to people experiencing homelessness and food scarcity in Evanston. To register to attend, contact Rev. Susan Frances and get your check to her by September 8, 2022.
|
|
Unitarian Church of Evanston
1330 Ridge Ave. Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-1330
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
